The Lemon Stand

08 February 2017

I've always loved the story of The Little Engine That Could. "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I know I can." It is a lesson I think too many adults forget. Recently I was asked to teach a beginners quilt class and since I have never taken a quilt class, I went online to find some inspiration for beginning quilters. What I found was rather discouraging if you have never picked up a sewing needle in your life which is where I was focusing this class. So many people have told me they couldn't possibly learn how to quilt, or they don't have the money for supplies or a sewing machine but I knew it could be done anyway because when I first started I didn't know anything and I was dead broke. People learned to quilt long before sewing machines and rotary cutters. Since my class is taught every Monday, I have been trying to get a blog post on a new blog to accommodate the lessons for those who could not be at the class every week. Life happens. I also wanted to be able to put smaller projects on that blog as well because sometimes a big project is just too overwhelming for a beginner. I figure one block a month could be the perfect way to accomplish all my goals. A single block could be used as a hot pad or wall hanging. Several could be made into a table runner. I few more and a lap or baby quilt.

It just reminds me that anyone can eat an entire bear... one small bite at a time. (unless it's made of chocolate and then all bets are off... just sayin')PS The journey starts at A Little Zakka...QOTD: "You will never be like the 'Little Engine That Could' if you sit around on your caboose." ~ Les Brown

24 January 2017

Lemons abound lately at Casa de Lemon Stand and so I have decided to play hooky from being an adult. I have created the following schedule for tomorrow:1. Watch cartoons while I eat Fruit Loops for breakfast.2. Watch the dust motes in my living room dance in the sunlight that comes in through the windows. 3. Pick a book from my TBR (to be read) pile at random and read it instead of doing the dishes.4. Microwave leftover pizza for lunch.5. Finish reading book. (unfortunately I am a fast reader and go through books like candy)6. Take a hot shower and sing at the top of my lungs my favorite 80s playlist and put on my comfiest PJs.7. Ask husband to pick up Chinese food on his way home from work.8. Pop some popcorn and binge watch the early Indiana Jones movies.9. Go to bed with paper and pencil and sketch my garden plan for this year.10. Turn out the light and dream of my happy place.When I wake up the day after tomorrow, I will tackle my adult to-do list again and make real progress.I think this is called taking a mental health day.

06 January 2017

Me to daughter: "Mouse[our cat, see feline specimen and her 'you are lint' look]gave me kisses on the cheek this morning. I thought that was so sweet until I realized she's probably testing me for 'doneness'. Kinda took the enjoyment out of the moment."Erin thought about this for a moment and just nodded and said, "True."We know our geriatric cat very well after fourteen years, but I can guarantee SHE's not on MY diet list. As a human being, I like at least thinking that I am at the top of the food chain and do not like my allusions tampered with.QOTD: “People with insufficient personalities are fond of cats. These people adore being ignored.” ~ Henry Morgan(privateer)

31 December 2016

My need for humor today exceeds my ability to produce it. So I, of course, think back on conversations with my husband.

I believe I have mentioned a time or two that we live in the middle of nowhere. Think lots of rabbits, wild turkeys, moose, deer, bald eagles and the occasional bear. You know, it sounds like Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom now that I think about it. (Yes, I know I'm dating myself, it's ok)

Inside the house are a few more critters, but there is one in particular that "chose" my husband as "her" human. Most of this year he's been deployed and when he didn't come home after about a week she "shunned" his side of the bed. It was quite amusing at first because it has been almost commical after the years of me petting her while she's purring away, at least until she heard him coming. Then she was gone. And I wasn't the only one she did this to. Everyone was second fiddle.

After a few months of this I realized she was mourning him when she stuck like glue to me every day (and night). There was not much I or he could do about it. We all missed him as we always do when he's off on super-suit duties.

About 4 months into this trip, his cat brought me what I thought was a dead mouse. Dropped it right next to me. On our bed! Then she sat back and watched me. I was struck dumb. When the mouse suddenly got up and starting to run, she calmly reached out a palm to hold it down. I jumped out of my bed and backed up as the mouse got away His cat (whose name, by the way, is "Mouse") just sat there looking at me. I left and went for a walk.

When I told my husband what happened? He's like, 'awww. Isn't that sweet. She's trying to teach you how to hunt.'

I seriously considered voting him off the island because I couldn't give him couch duty.

When it was close to the time for his return, he and I had the following conversation: